Voyage Mia Hidden Gems: Meet Barbara

Hidden Gems: Meet Bárbara of GROU Coffee + Cowork — A Story of Community and Purpose

VoyageMIA recently featured Bárbara Safina, the Venezuelan entrepreneur behind GROU Coffee + Cowork, a space that blends specialty coffee with collaborative coworking in the heart of Coral Gables.

In the interview, Bárbara shares how she and her husband, Orlando, launched GROU in 2021, right after welcoming their first child and amid the uncertainty of post-pandemic times. What started as a local initiative with 20 partners has grown into a thriving community of over 70 small businesses, nearly half of them women-owned.

Rooted in her entrepreneurial spirit and passion for connection, Bárbara explains how GROU became more than just a coffee shop—it's a hub for creativity, collaboration, and local empowerment. Every product and event at GROU supports the local ecosystem, offering visibility to artisans, creators, and entrepreneurs.

Her efforts haven't gone unnoticed: Bárbara has received multiple recognitions, including Best Coffee Shop in Coral Gables (2025) and the Community Builder Award (2025) from the Coral Gables Chamber.

The full story dives into her challenges balancing motherhood and business, the lessons learned along the way, and how GROU continues to redefine what "community space" means in Miami. Learn more on our about us page.

👉 Read the full interview here: Hidden Gems: Meet Barbara of GROU Coffee + Cowork - Voyage MIA Magazine | Miami City Guide

More from GROU: Order fresh-roasted beans and merch from the GROU shop, book a desk, meeting room or private office at GROU Cowork in Coral Gables, or see the menu.